12 of us met at the hockey metropolis that is Wilby, and it was grey and cold until Vinnie conjured up a rainbow and Vicky O’B. arrived to cheer us on during a visit home from her sabbatical…
 
Getting on the pitch, we huddled in for the captain’s tactics briefing, acknowledging that if this season’s training has taught us anything, it’s that we need to keep the bad danger out, whilst always being on for a pass (or we’re not actually even playing hockey), and bringing on the good danger by playing between the lines, and attacking the D within the D.  Simples!  So, that all went into the strategy pensieve, and Harry put out a rock-solid team who were going to play defensively.  Thanks to the three who were doubling up: Esther, Elly and Sophie! And no thanks to Rosie who secured LOM early on by lobbing a ball at Fi’s head (sorry Fi!).
 
We pushed back first, City having cannily chosen ends so that South were blinded by the setting sun late in the second half: couldn’t see a dickie bird!  Anyway, the first half got underway with great passing by South, a strong press and some attacking play, Helen racing across the pitch and the ‘mini D’ being appropriately occupied.  For a while it was end to end stuff.  
 
The South defence, which encompassed most of the team tbh, worked hard into the second half and earned whole-unit POM nominations.   Harry lead from the front as always, winning POM noms despite being hit with the stick and ball several times by City and South players alike (why didn’t Julie get LOM eh?): sub-optimal preparation for her half marathon the next day…(well-run Haz!).
 
We both won and conceded shorts in the second half (usually conceded due to Rosie’s face getting in the way), neither with any score.  Running 1, Rebecca got a POM nom for blocking the strike with her eyes shut tight.  Emma earned POM noms for a fantastic save – snatching the ball out of the air - a pivotal moment for South who redoubled their efforts.  POM noms were also earned by Julie for her super-solid defence and clearances, Rosie for bring relentless, and Fi for her attacking runs up the right.  
 
Harry was working to keep standards high and reminded the Umpire to ‘pay attention to stick tackles’; unfortunately, he only heard the first two words and, enraged, threatened Haz with a green card. Temper temper! It was a great relief when the final whistle went, we had played well together to hold City to 0-0, a strong result compared to previous derbies.  
 
The match was topped off with the wonderful news of Elly’s leap year engagement; many congratulations to you both from all of the L5s!